CONTROVERSIAL plans for a retirement home complex in Dorking were scrutinised at a public inquiry this week.

Proposals to demolish three detached properties and build 43 sheltered apartments for the elderly as well as communal facilities and a manager’s lodge with parking at Eden Lodge, Acacia House and Brasted in Westcott Road, have been met with stark criticism since they were first muted in January.

The two-day appeal hearing held on Tuesday and Wednesday comes after Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) threw out the plans, submitted by Churchill Retirement Living, on the basis they would overdevelop the site and be out of keeping with the area.

MVDC received a total of 29 letters of objection from residents who felt the development was of an overbearing nature and would cause parking issues along nearby side roads as only 15 parking spaces have been incorporated into the plans.

However, the applicants, who lodged an appeal against the council’s decision in August, argued at the hearing that the design of the build made “optimum use of available housing land”.

Representing the applicants, Daniel Kolinsky said: “The proposal represents a very good use of land. It’s also highly likely that potential residents will have property in the locality thus freeing up the housing market in the area.”

He said the level of parking was consistent with other developments of this kind in Mole Valley but added: “On the off chance we fall short, there’s plenty of parking on the side roads.”

MVDC said it had no objection to a development of this nature but was concerned about the affect a build of this size could have on nearby residents of Pound House and Broomfield.

The council’s major projects officer Sherelle Munnis said: “There’s no objection in principal for a development of this site but our concern is the size and massing of this particular building.

“In terms of the outlook from Pound House, occupants would be faced with a substantial amount of built form very close to their property.”

Mr Kolinsky argued that a lining of trees along Westcott Road would hide the development from the street scene and the distance between the new build and neighbouring properties would be more than it is now.

He also said the design of the development gave an illusion of three separate buildings so the development would appear less bulky than one large structure.

However, Miss Munnis said she did not feel this was the case because the building extended 11 metres back, far beyond the neighbouring properties and right to the end of their gardens.

She added: “In reality, one would be able to see through the tree canopy even when they are in leaf during the summer months, it would be much worse during the winter months when the leaves have fallen.”

Planning Inspector Robert Ewell listened to witnesses from both sides, as well as hearing from residents and making a visit to the site.

He will use evidence from the hearing alongside 32 letters of representation from the public to make his final decision which is due at the end of January 2008.